"ABC News has learned authorities are increasingly
concerned that a man sought in connection with a
bizarre shooting incident on the Washington Mall
last week may pose a threat to President Obama.
The Secret Service now suspects that a bullet
fired in this incident may have hit the White
House after a bullet round was found in a White
House window, though the round had not yet been
conclusively linked to the incident. The round was
stopped by ballistic glass behind the historic
exterior glass, while an additional round has been
found on the exterior of the White House.
Police believe the suspect, 21-year-old Oscar
Ramiro Ortega of Idaho, is mentally ill. Ortega
has an extensive record, ranging from domestic
violence to drug charges. Sources say a police
investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting
Ortega has a fixation on the White House.
At 9:30 p.m. Friday, police received reports of
shots fired in the bustling area of 16th street
and Constitution Ave.
Authorities would later find a car in the area.
The suspect had fled, but what police discovered
inside the vehicle left them deeply concerned: an
assault style rifle and empty shell casings.
Police linked the car to Ortega and have been
hunting him ever since.
It's unclear whether Ortega is capable of
launching a sophisticated attack, but police are
still fearful of what he might do next.
Authorities suspect Ortega has been in the area
for weeks, coming back and forth to the Washington
Mall. Before the shooting, he was detained by
local police at an abandoned house. U.S. Park
police say Ortega may have spent time blending in
with Occupy D.C. protesters.
President Obama, who is currently on a visit to
Australia, was not present at the White House at
the time of the incident, and in fact has been out
of town for the past week. Secret Service
officials are not taking any chances with the
security of the President and the White House,
though, and want Ortega off the street." - ABC